by Unknown
“I can help with this,” Estelle said from the open doorway. “I'm.....,” she hesitated.
“Go on, honey. You don't have to be afraid to speak,” mom says.
“I'm really good at party planning;it’s the one thing I know I am good at. It was the only time I wasn't completely useless. Can I do this for you, Kennedy? Please? I won't let you down!”
I walked over and threw my arms around her. “I believe in you, Estelle.”
“I have a list of people that need to be invited. In addition, I’ll need to contact a few media sources. You're gonna tell them Kennedy Brennan is coming out of hiding. We will be at the opening of her new music Conservatory in Denver on September fourth at six pm. It's going to be a red carpet event. We’ll need to host a dinner for one hundred people, plus the media. I will hold a press conference, and there will be a concert with performers to be announced.”
“Estelle, I think you just became the event planner and press secretary for The Hope Music Conservatory.”
Chapter 15
Estelle and I came home from my three-month checkup everything looked good. She was my person, and I was grateful to have her. We cried when I found out I was having twins. She held my hand the first time we listened to their heartbeats. She held my hair when I threw up, and she let me cry when I was overwhelmed. If you would have told me the first time I met Estelle that she would be my best friend and sister, I would have told you that you had lost your fucking mind.
She blamed my cravings on her weight gain, because she went from a size two to a size six with a whole lot of junk in the trunk. I told her it's not my fault she eats everything in sight. She really doesn't, but I feel the need to tease her. Her body has transformed in the six weeks we have been on the farm. What once was a skeletal body turned into a healthy, fit body. Someone Five-Eleven shouldn't ever weigh a hundred pounds. What I found amazing was that her breasts were natural. I implied she had implants, but she just has a great rack, and they looked great on her new body.
She looked like a Roman goddess. Her now dark hair enhanced her golden eyes. My father often told her she looked exactly like Loren. Anytime we went out at least one person made the comparison. She was thriving on the farm. Stepping out of the truck, I stopped short at seeing Tristan Cooper sitting on my porch swing. Knowing the history, Estelle went into the house, but not before, she told me to make it quick so she could start fan-girling.
“Hey, Coop!”
After more than four years, that's the only thing I could think to say.
“Hey Kennedy, nice baby bump!” he responded.
“I brought you a few giant bags of Starburst.” He was holding them up for me to see. “Come sit, and we’ll pick out all the pinks ones and throw them away.”
I sat next to him on the porch swing.
“Coop, I’m sorry I cut you out of my life. It was an asshole thing to do, but I couldn't look at you and not feel like you wish it was Emma who survived. I hated being a reminder of what you lost.”
“I loved Emma, Kennedy. I loved her in the puppy love kind of way, but I loved all you girls like sisters. It’s when you went to Boston; I knew you needed the space. I understood that, but after the trial when you were locked up. I traveled a few times to see you, but you wouldn't see me. I needed to see you. It was so hard knowing we were in the same city, and you wouldn't even see me. I started over again in LA, once the show was a hit and I met Nadia it got easier, but it never felt right. I always felt like I had this weight on my chest. I would constantly dream of Emma. She would come to me and tell me to find you. Sometimes in my dreams, she looked sad sometimes she was angry.
The night I caught Nadia and Daniel together, I packed my bags and drove to the airport. Do you know I had no idea where I was going? When I got to the ticket counter and the ticket agent asked where I was going I said Denver, without a thought. I knew that’s where I was supposed to be and for the first time in years that weight lifted off my chest. It was like; I was free. I got your tweet, but I was still angry you waited almost three years to contact me. I figured you could wait awhile, but then the angry Emma started coming to me in dreams. She wouldn't say anything she would cross her arms and tap her foot.”
We both started laughing, remembering how many times Emma had done that exact thing when pissed off.
“So, a Music Conservatory? You know, you shot someone in front of millions of viewers and were in an insane asylum, do you really think people are gonna drop their kids off? I love you Kennedy, but you know I always keep it real with you.”
I sighed, “I don't know, Coop, but I have to try. It’s what the girls would have wanted. We talked about it the night they died. It’s what we talked about on the car ride home. Coop, I don't know what your plans are, but I kind of hoped you would come be a guest teacher for a few special workshops through the year.”
“Sorry, Kennedy, I can't do it.”
“I understand no hard feelings. I’m glad you came and we had a chance to talk. Where are you headed now? Is your life back on Broadway?”
“No, actually it’s in Denver. I'm going to teach musical theatre and acting at conservatory one of my best friends is opening. I'm not in a rush though, because my invitation to the grand opening isn’t happening till September, and it's only July.”
I jumped all over Coop, kissing him all over his face. “I love you, Coop! Thank you so much!”
“Are you serious right now?” I hear Estelle exclaim! “First you steal my super-hot billionaire boyfriend, you dress me in Wal-Mart clothes, and you let me get fat. Now I come out here to make my move on Tristan Cooper, and I find you with your ratchet hands all over him! How is my life fair right now?”
Coop is laughing so hard he has tears running down his face. I elbow him
“This is my soul-sister, Estelle Mayò. She is doing the event planning and public relations for the Conservatory. Estelle, meet one of my best friends, Tristan Cooper, or Coop to the people he loves. He has just informed me that he is going to be teaching musical theater and acting at the Conservatory.”
Estelle starts jumping up and down. “OMG, are you serious?”
“Tristan is staying with us so behave, Estelle.” I laugh as we walk in the house.
“It feels so good to have a full house!” my mother exclaims.
She has said the same thing every day since Tristan has been here. In another week, we are heading back to Denver. I feel strong with my new sister and my best friend at my side. She is taking six pies out of the oven. Estelle gives me a look, and I shrug because I have no clue why the hell she made six pies. We are all getting ready to eat dinner when we hear cars pull up in the driveway. I know this is not gonna be good. Please, please, please, don't let it be the paparazzi! I'm not ready! The only thing I hear is my father cocking his shotgun while my mother moves towards the front door, standing outside.
“Holy shit, her dad is holding a gun on us!”
I know that voice; it's Rhydian!
“What the hell is Rhydian Kerrigan doing on my parent’s farm in Parrish, Florida?”
I hear my momma tell daddy to go put his shotgun in the house, that these are invited guests.
“WHAT IN THE FUCK HAS MY MOMMA DONE!”
I don't have to hide here, so my hair is back to its natural curly, red state and pulled back in a ponytail. I'm wearing a pair of running shorts and a tank top that leaves my baby bump on full display. There's no make-up on my face; the scars on my neck and arms are still bright and angry even after all this time. I see Jax, Max, and Isabel run to the porch stairs. They stop, taking in my new appearance.
“Well,” my mom says. “Good thing I happened to make enough food for fifteen or so extra people.”
My daddy turns toward my momma and says, “Moira, what have you been getting into?”
It was Elena that stepped forward, putting her hand on my belly. “Now don't be upset with dear, sweet Moira. It was all my fault. See, I up and invited myself. There has been a
terrible mix up, and we intend to get it situated right away. Moira and I have decided that our children have been apart long enough. Easton is a big dummy, but your girl is as stubborn and ornery as a mule, so we are here to set this right.”
“Well, let's everyone come inside.”
I turn to see both Tristan and Estelle trying to hold in the laughter, but they have tears in their eyes and their faces are bright red.
“Right, oh go to hell, the both of you!” That's when they let the laughter peel out.
“OH MY GOD, IT'S TRISTAN COPPER! OMG, IM DYING RIGHT NOW!”
“Isabel Kerrigan meet Tristan Cooper, everyone else, this is Coop. Coop this is everyone.”
“Coop be a dear and help one of these guys move the kids’ table into the living room. Estelle, you and the young boys move the furniture against the walls. It has sliders, so it should be easy. And two more of you guys can grab the big table out of the dining room. The rest of us will grab chairs and set up the food table.”
Stacy and Michael walk up and hug me.
“Sorry to ambush you, but you have to let him explain.” Stacy says in a whisper
I nod and do what my mom told me to do. As everyone is sitting, Max is the first one to break the silence,
“You look prettier like this, Stella.” The entire table turns to face Estelle.
“Thank you, Max, I feel really good, and I'm glad you're here. I wanted to say sorry if I was mean to you. I was jealous you got great people like Rose and Liam to love you, and my dad wasn’t very nice to me. I guess I was sad because you got something I wanted. You were lucky you had four parents who love you, and I didn't have any. I know it will take a while, but I hope you can forgive me.”
Max looked pensive, “There's nothing to forgive. Sometimes when I'm mad, I act out too. My mom says I have to make good choices. It looks like you are making good choices.”
“I hope so, Max, I really hope so.”
“From the mouths of babes,” Shamus says.
“We thought you were dead! Everyone thinks you're dead!” Michael says.
“Good, let them be surprised when they find out I am very much alive!”
Easton, who has been silent until this point says, “This is like one of those crazy soap operas. You have been here this whole time, Stella.”
“Her name is Estelle!” I chime in.
“My name is Estelle Roux- Mayò. I've already started the paperwork for my name change. I will just be Estelle Roux, Stella Mayò is dead. She was a character made up by a demented child abuser. I'm sorry this isn't polite dinner conversation.”
“You look like a hotter version of Sophia Loren,” Rhydian commented.
I saw Estelle blush, hmmmm interesting. Dinner ended, and I was in the kitchen washing dishes,
“Can we talk, Kennedy?” I felt Easton before I heard him.
I handed him a towel without looking and said, “You dry, but when this is done your time is up.I'm not going to cause a scene in my parent’s house.”
“Were you going to tell me you were pregnant, Kennedy?”
“Yes, Tristan, Estelle, and I are coming back to Denver, we leave next week. I want to spend August making sure everything is perfect for the grand opening and getting stuff ready for the babies. I will be almost five months by then, so I have a lot to do.”
“Baby, I did it for you. All this time it was to keep you safe. The plan to snatch one of the kids was just part of the plan. His main target was you. I had to protect you. I had to get you out of Denver, and then I had to find a way to put that psycho away. Kennedy, I have loved you every moment since I first set eyes on you. I knew you were it. I'm here, and I'm begging for forgiveness and a second chance.” I handed him the last dish.
“I don't think it will be that easy this time around, Easton. What took years to build up, you knocked it all down and that's my fault. I was weak and I let you in, I let you hurt me.”
“Did I lose you to him? Is that why you won't give us another chance?”
“Coop is my best friend. If he hadn’t found me when he did, I would have been dead. The love we have for each other is a brother-sister love. It's the kind of love you develop when you crawl through hell and somehow, by some tiny miracle, you make it out alive. Easton, I love you, maybe I am crazy because even after everything, I love you. Right now, my focus is getting my conservatory open on time; getting myself ready to deal with the media storm that is heading my way; and in five months, I will have a set of twins to raise. Fixing this cluster fuck that is our relationship is not even on the Top Ten list of things I need to do. On top of all that, Estelle needs me, and she has been therefor me every doctor’s appointment, every day I was throwing up, or when I couldn't stop crying. I needed her then, and she needs me now. Easton, you didn't see her, she was almost dead when I found her; my scars are nothing compared to hers. The monster who hurt me is dead. The monster who hurt her is still out there; he's walking the streets free.”
“He won't be for long the reason we are all here is because they are moving in to make an arrest within the next forty-eight hours. I knew it was safe to come get you, I knew we could be together now. My family missed you. Rose has a breakdown anytime something comes up with the Conservatory design. Jackson beat me up, until I let everyone know why I did what I did to you. They wouldn't even speak to me! It was only after the FBI confirmed everything that they agreed to help me get you back.
“Be advised, Kennedy Brennan, our mothers are planning an August 1 wedding so I'm coming hard. You and our babies belong with me! I can't disappoint my mother and future mother-in-law.”
“Seriously, I'm going to bed and you need to get some serious help for your delusions.”
“It's a matter of time.” I heard him say as I walked upstairs to my room. I knew it was a matter of time but no reason not to make him work for it.
“Stacy, why are you on the floor?”
“Because I refuse to sleep in a room with bunk beds! Why do your parents have bunk beds, you're an only child?”
“My parents were foster parents for a long time. I guess they hoped they would be again.”
“It's sad, you should see Rhydian and Michael are on the top bunks; their legs are hanging over the side. I hope it doesn't turn into that scene from step-brothers.”
I'm laughing so hard I have tears coming down my face. “Tristan gave up his room with the queen bed to my parents and Stella, I mean Estelle, gave up her room to Liam and Rose. I think she is coming in here with Isabel. She can share the bed with you and Estelle can crash down here with me. It will be like a sleepover! Killian is on the sofa, and Easton is I don't know where. Tomorrow we will find a hotel. We just all wanted to be together tonight. It's been really hard with you gone.
Estelle came in with Isabel, “Sorry to interrupt.”
“No, it's okay. We were just talking.”
Isabel climbed in bed next to me. “I missed texting you, Kennedy. It's weird to call you that but I like that name better, and your way prettier now. Blonde is not your color!” Estelle and Stacy laughed.
The next morning Elena and my mom were cooking enough food for an army.
During breakfast, we discussed the opening of the conservatory and my pregnancy. Everyone wanted to know what I was having. When I announced twins and that I could be finding out the sex on my next visit, everyone wanted to come to my doctor’s appointment, and everything I had missed in the months I had been home. Elena and mom went to discussing how to divide time between them when the twins arrived. Shamus and my Dad drove out to the bay to go fishing, and the boys were out somewhere on the property riding four-wheelers. The Kerrigan’s took to country living like a fish to water. By dinnertime, everyone was hungry and tired from a full day of activity. Isabel wanted to play something she had been working on since I left and asked my mom if she could please use her piano. The boys raced out to the trucks to get their guitars, they had something to show me also. We all sat in the living room.
&
nbsp; Isabel sat at the piano nervously. “The boys and I created this arrangement,” she said.
The boys started strumming. The melody was haunting and familiar, then the piano came in and I recognized the song but when Isabel open her mouth to sing, I was struck dumb. I looked to Liam and Rose and they looked just as baffled as I did.
Isabel's voice is low and husky; she sounds like Nina Simone. It’s unbelievable that voice is coming out of a twelve year old Irish girl. She has her eyes closed, and she hit every key with perfect timing. I had no idea Pure Imagination could be arranged like this, but it's magic. I can't take my eyes off the trio in front of me, but I hope to god someone is recording this. After they are done it takes her a minute to open her eyes, but the room erupts in applause.
“Guys that was amazing! How did you even come up with that arrangement? That was brilliant! And holy cow, Isabel, Why didn't you tell anyone you could sing like that!”
“I tried out for chorus at school and the director told me I didn't have a clear enough singing voice, and that I needed to work on my diction, so I stopped singing.”
“He is full of shit,” Jackson said. “He just wants his daughter to always have the solos. She has two solos every performance.”
“No one else gets a chance because his daughter is the star!” Max says. “The worst part is, she isn't even a great singer! She is always trying to sing these really hard songs, and she can't hit any of the notes. It sounds like a bag of cats in water!”
“Why didn’t you say anything to us?” Rose said. “I didn't want to bother you.”
“Well your teacher is an ass! And Jackson don't say shit anymore!” Jackson just grinned.
“Isabel, are you coming to The Hope?” Isabel looked to her parents.
Liam spoke, “We are dropping all of their electives at Conservatory, and they will only be going to The Hope.
“Can you play something, Kennedy?” Max ask.
“Umm, it's been a long time since I've played, almost four years.” I looked over to Coop; with a nod he knew which song we were doing.